Cabrera smacks second spring homer in win

By Todd Zolecki / MLB.com

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The Tigers rocked Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon for six runs in the fifth inning in an easy 10-1 victory Monday at Bright House Field.

Papelbon, who was making his Grapefruit League debut, allowed a single to Jeff Kobernus to start the fifth. Nick Castellanos followed with a two-run home run to right-center field to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead. Miguel Cabrera later crushed a three-run home run to left field to make it 6-1.

"It's nice to hit that one so early," said Cabrera, who also homered Saturday against the Blue Jays. "It makes you feel everything's working good. But our mindset here is on getting ready for the season, trying to get our at-bats, try to work the counts. With a runner in scoring position with one out, I try to hit the ball in the gap, I try not to kill the inning with a ground-ball double play right there. It was like my goal to try to elevate the ball, try to hit the gap."

The Phillies scored their first run in the fourth when Ryan Howard's sacrifice fly scored Yuniesky Betancourt.

Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee allowed one walk and struck out two in his Grapefruit League debut. Tigers left-hander Drew Smyly also threw two scoreless innings, allowing only a single to Howard in the second inning.

"I feel good," Lee said. "You still have to build up endurance and the ability to throw 100-plus pitches. ... That's what Spring Training is designed for, a starting pitcher to build up innings."

Tigers roster hopeful Kevin Russo, who replaced Cabrera at third base in the fifth inning, added a solo home run in the ninth.

Up next: The Tigers are on the road again, this time heading east to Kissimmee for a 1:05 p.m. ET matchup against the Astros at Osceola County Stadium. Right-hander Doug Fister is scheduled to make his first start of the spring opposite Astros lefty Erik Bedard. Closer candidate Bruce Rondon is slated to pitch in relief along with Duane Below, Luke Putkonen and Al Alburquerque. Position players scheduled to make the trip include Jhonny Peralta, Avisail Garcia, Quintin Berry and Andy Dirks.

Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.